Is prior first aid experience required?

No prior experience is necessary; the course is designed to teach skills from the ground up.

Will the course cover hypothermia treatment?

Yes, managing hypothermia in remote forestry settings is a key component.

Are there any certification benefits?

Participants receive a recognized certificate upon completion valuable for professional forestry work.

Is the training outdoors?

Some practical sessions may take place outdoors to simulate real forestry scenarios.

How large are the class sizes?

Class sizes are kept small to ensure hands-on attention and effective learning.

What should I bring on the day?

Dress in outdoor-appropriate clothing, bring water, snacks, and any required personal protective equipment.

Forestry First Aid Training in Scottish Borders | Workshop

Located in the rugged Scottish Borders near the historic town of Kelso, the First Aid Forestry EFAW+F course provides essential training tailored for forestry professionals working in remote and challenging environments. The Scottish Borders region, known for its rolling hills, dense woodlands, and scattered farms, presents distinct risks—making specialized first aid skills crucial for safety. This course spans over six intensive hours, equipping participants with practical knowledge to respond effectively to severe injuries, hypothermia, and communication challenges where mobile signals are unreliable. The course instructors bring a wealth of experience operating within forestry and outdoor sectors, ensuring lessons are grounded in real-world conditions faced by workers in this demanding landscape.

What makes this first aid training stand out is its specific focus on remote scenario preparedness, including techniques for managing trauma when emergency response teams may be delayed due to terrain or weather conditions. Scottish Borders' natural environment, characterized by ancient oak and pine forests and rugged river valleys, demands a level of self-reliance from professional arborists, conservationists, and land managers. Learning to stabilize wounds, treat hypothermia during sudden weather changes, and employ alternative communication methods prepares attendees for the unpredictable.

The course is hosted close to Kelso, a gateway to this outdoor workspace, making it accessible for local professionals and those coming from nearby Edinburgh or Newcastle. By fostering safety awareness tightly linked to regional environmental challenges, this training not only enhances individual competence but also contributes to safer forestry operations across the Borders. The combination of expert instruction, locally relevant content, and hands-on practice makes it an indispensable resource for anyone working deep in the woods of southern Scotland.

About CA First Aid

CA First Aid is a specialist first aid training provider based in Etal, England, delivering forestry-focused Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) courses across Scotland. The training targets professionals who work in remote, rural, and hazardous forestry environments and emphasizes practical, scenario-led skills. Trainers bring field experience and align course content with Forestry Commission considerations and workplace safety needs.

Courses run as intensive six- or seven-hour sessions and are available in locations including Perthshire, Aberdeenshire, the Scottish Borders (Kelso), Ardersier (Inverness), Angus, Stirlingshire, West Lothian, Elgin, Peebles, and Polmont. Each session combines hands-on practice, realistic scenarios, and clear assessment criteria to ensure learners leave with practical confidence to manage emergencies in remote settings.

CA First Aid uses accredited Emergency First Aid at Work frameworks adapted for forestry risks. Learning outcomes cover casualty assessment, severe bleeding control, airway and breathing management, hypothermia treatment, improvised shelter and insulation, and effective use of limited communications. Courses are suitable for site supervisors, machine operators, and teams working off-grid.

Booking information, course dates, and specific location details are published per course. Certification is provided upon successful completion. The provider focuses on clear instruction, realistic practice, and field-relevant skills to help forestry professionals reduce risk and improve emergency response capabilities. Trainers draw on practical forestry experience to deliver hands-on demonstrations, casualty scenarios, and communication strategies suited to off-grid operations. The courses emphasise safety culture, risk awareness, and practical competence for workplace compliance and team readiness across field operations.